Multiple coupling connector for electrical connection between flexible ribbon-like conductors and circular cross-section cables

ABSTRACT

Multiple coupling connector for electrical connection between flexible ribbon-like conductors and circular section cables, comprising two box design bodies embedding into each other one of which is connected to the ribbon-like conductor and the circular other one to the cross-section cable.

United States Patent Codrino June 3, 1975 [54] MULTIPLE COUPLINGCONNECTOR FOR 2,198,504 4/1940 P001 339/191 S X ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONBETWEEN 2,894,097 7/1959 Bassin 3339/176 P 3,202,955 8/1965 McKee 39/65X FLEXIBLE RIBBON-LIKE CONDUCTORS 3,670,290 6/1973 Angele et al 339/75MP AND CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTION CABLES Guiseppe Codrino, Via Stazione,Quattordio, Italy Filed: Apr. 17, 1973 Appl. No.: 351,955

Inventor:

Foreign Application Priority Data June 16, 1972 Italy 25787/72 KKKWZII/I/I III/II FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 23,275 l/l93lNetherlands 339/191 S Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier AssistantExaminerTerrell P. Lewis Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker 5 7ABSTRACT Multiple coupling connector for electrical connection betweenflexible ribbon-like conductors and circular section cables, comprisingtwo box design bodies embedding into each other one of which isconnected to the ribbon-like conductor and the circular other one to thecross-section cable.

13 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure MULTIPLE COUPLING CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRICALCONNECTION BETWEEN FLEXIBLE RIBBON-LIKE CONDUCTORS AND CIRCULARCROSS-SECTION CABLES This invention relates to a multiple couplingconnec tor for electrical connection between flexible ribbonlikeconductors and traditional-type circular crosssection cables.

Also the manufacturing method of such multiple coupling connector is anintegral part of this invention.

As is well known, flexible ribbon-like conductors are made at present,particularly adapted for building electrical circuits on continuouslysmooth surfaces.

Obviously, however, in such circuits there may be required the presenceof generators and/or equipment using current, provided with terminals,consisting of circular cross-section cables of wire or braid.

In view of the structure of the flexible ribbon-like conductors whosecross-section is generally in form of a thin band or ribbon of plasticmaterial, the connec tion between such types of conductors and cablesrequires the utilization of specially designed connectors.

The multiple coupling connector of this invention accomplishes in apractical and stable manner said connection, permitting the directcontact of a ribbon-like conductor with the blades of a socket,connected in turn to the terminal of a circular cross-section cable.

More accurately, the connector according to the present invention iscomprised of a first box-shaped element, provided with a projection,wherein there is formed essentially cylindrical transverse passages.

Inside said passages there are accommodated telescopic-type devices,consisting, preferably, of two hollow cylindrical members, each of whichmay slide in opposite direction along a cylindrical guide due to theaction of a pair of pressure springs.

lnto the recess defined by the walls of the first boxshaped element andthe projection is inserted the walls of a second box-shaped element.

The latter is shaped so as to insure an easy anchoring of the blades ofthe sockets, applied to the circular cross-section cables.

Said blades come in contact with the two hollow cylindrical members,which press against the blades themselves urged by inner springs actingon such cylindrical members.

These and further characteristic features of a func' tional andconstructional nature of the multiple coupling connector according tothe present invention could be better understood from the followingdetailed description with the aid of the single FIGURE of theaccompanying drawing, showing in a schematic form the cross-section ofsaid multiple coupling connector.

Referring now particularly to the numeric symbols in said FIGURE, themultiple coupling connector according to this invention is made up ofafirst box-shaped element 1, provided with side walls 2, showing theupper edge having a dovetail configuration.

The median portion of said first box-shaped element 1 consists ofprojection 6, showing approximately the configuration of aparallelepiped, in which there are transversely formed cylindricalpassages 7. Within said passages 7 there are placed telescopictypedevices, consisting of two cylindrical capsules 9 and 9', showing a head10 and 10, being suitably curved and turned towards the walls, andhaving a section adapted to accommodate to the open ends of the passages7. Said passages show further an edge 8, serving as stop means,preventing the capsules from slipping off. The aforesaid two capsules 9and 9' are provided with an edge 11 and 11', being partially curved, andmay slide over a hollow cylindrical guide 12, provided in proximity ofits terminal with stop recesses 13 and 13'. Said hollow cylindricalguide 12 is further comprised of a median partition wall 14 and servesas a housing to receive two pressure springs 15 and 15', which byresting on the partition wall 14 press onto the heads 10 and 10' of thecapsules.

The said two capsules 9 and 9' are made, of course, from insulatingmaterial, as for example, plastic mate rial.

On one end of the projection 6 at each cylindrical passage 7 there areformed the slots 16, through which the end portion of a ribbon-likeconductor 17 may be inserted.

Said conductor may be fastened on the upper portion to said projection 6by means of a small rivet 18 or screw.

Into the recess defined by the side walls 2 of the first box-shapedelement 1 and the projection member 6 are inserted the end portion 19 ofthe side walls 20 of a second box-shaped element 21.

Said walls 20 shows an edge shaped to accommodate the dovetail-shapededge of the corresponding walls of the first box-shaped element 1. Theaforementioned second box-shaped element 21 is provided with upperopenings 22, in which there are disposed the sockets 23, adapted to fitto the terminal of the circular crosssection cables 24. Said sockets 23end with a metal blade 25, inserting itself into the slot 26, formed inthe second box-shaped element 21 and placing itself between the endportion 19 of the wall 20 and the portion 27 having been deprived of theinsulating layer of the ribbon-like conductor 17.

The contact between the blade 25 and the conductor 27 is insured by thepressure exerted by the head 10 of the capsule 9 urged by the twosprings 15 and 15'.

The blade 25 is further provided with a flexible tongue 28, which, afterthe insertion of the blade through the slot 26, springs inwardly, intosaid recess anchoring the respective socket 23 to the second boxshapedelement 21.

From the foregoing specification and from perusal of the single FIGUREon the accompanying drawing one may easily see the functional characterand the practical application of the multiple coupling connector forelectrical connection between the flexible ribbon-like conductors andtraditional-type circular cross-section cables according to the presentinvention.

Obviously, said multiple coupling connector and its relatedmanufacturing and functional method have been previously described andrepresented by way of non-limiting example in order to demonstrate theprac tical embodiment and general features of the present invention,

It is, of course, understood that the instant multiple couplingconnector may undergo several changes and modifications as to shape,dimension and construction upon its practical embodiment, withoutdeparting from the very spirit of this invention.

lt is, therefore, understood that any such changes and modificationsshall be deemed as appertaining to the protection and scope of thispatent application.

What we claim is:

1. An apparatus for the multiple electrical connection of ribbon-likeconductors with circular crosssection cables, comprising a first elementformed with an elongated recess bounded by an inner peripheral wallsurface and having an open end and a longitudinally spaced closed end; asecond element formed with an elongated projection receivable withclearance in said recess through said open end thereof. and with atransverse wall portion which overlies said open end when saidprojection is received in said recess, said projection having an outerperipheral surface; a pair of transversely spaced first apertures formedin said first element at said closed end and communicating with saidrecess; a pair of transversely spaced second apertures formed in saidsecond element at said transverse wall and communicating with saidrecess so that ribbon-like conductors may be inserted through saidsecond apertures to overlie said inner wall surface at trans verselyspaced locations; a pair of socket elements each formed with a firstlongitudinal portion having an end shaped to receive a circularcross-section cable and an other end, a second longitudinal portionhaving a conductive surface and extending from said other end of saidfirst longitudinal portion into said recess, and a third longitudinalportion intermediate said first and second longitudinal portions andengageable with said first element so as to secure said socket elementwhen said socket element is received in one of said first apertures withsaid second portion overlying said outer peripheral wall surface andbeing juxtaposed with one of said ribbon-like conductors; and biasingmeans in said projection and operative to deflect said ribbon-likeconductors outwardly away from said outer wall surface and intoconductive contact with said respectively juxtaposed second longitudinalportions of said socket elements.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said projection is formedwith an open-ended transverse passage; and wherein said biasing meanscomprise a first sliding member, a second sliding member, and a guidemember received in said transverse passage, said guide member guidingsaid first and second sliding members, and a biasing element urging saidfirst and second sliding members apart in direction outwardly of saidpassage.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said first and secondsliding members are hollow; and wherein said biasing element iscomprised of a spring.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said biasing meansfurther comprise abutment means which present movement of said first andsecond sliding members outwardly of said transverse passage beyond apredetermined distance when said projection of said second element isremoved from said recess.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said abutment meansfurther comprise sliding means which allow movement of said firstsliding member and said second sliding member on said guide member,respectively.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said projection is formedwith an open-ended transverse passage; and wherein said biasing meanscomprise a pair of telescoped-together members received in saidtransverse passage, and a biasing element urging saidtelescoped-together members apart in axial direction of said passage.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said telescoped-togethermembers are hollow; and wherein said biasing element is comprised of aspring.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said biasing meansfurther comprise abutment means which prevent movement of saidtelescoped-together members outwardly of said transverse passage beyonda predetermined distance when said projection of said second element isremoved from said recess.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further comprising fastenerswhich fasten said ribbon-like conductors to said second element.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said fasteners arescrews.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said fasteners arerivets.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said third longitudinalportion further comprises a flexible section which engages said closedend of said first element so as to secure said socket element when saidsocket element is received in said recess.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further comprisingcooperating locking portions on said first and second elements forpreventing undesired movement of said second element out of said recess.

1. An apparatus for the multiple electrical connection of ribbon-likeconductors with circular cross-section cables, comprising a firstelement formed with an elongated recess bounded by an inner peripheralwall surface and having an open end and a longitudinally spaced closedend; a second element formed with an elongated projection receivablewith clearance in said recess through said open end thereof, and with atransverse wall porTion which overlies said open end when saidprojection is received in said recess, said projection having an outerperipheral surface; a pair of transversely spaced first apertures formedin said first element at said closed end and communicating with saidrecess; a pair of transversely spaced second apertures formed in saidsecond element at said transverse wall and communicating with saidrecess so that ribbon-like conductors may be inserted through saidsecond apertures to overlie said inner wall surface at transverselyspaced locations; a pair of socket elements each formed with a firstlongitudinal portion having an end shaped to receive a circularcross-section cable and an other end, a second longitudinal portionhaving a conductive surface and extending from said other end of saidfirst longitudinal portion into said recess, and a third longitudinalportion intermediate said first and second longitudinal portions andengageable with said first element so as to secure said socket elementwhen said socket element is received in one of said first apertures withsaid second portion overlying said outer peripheral wall surface andbeing juxtaposed with one of said ribbon-like conductors; and biasingmeans in said projection and operative to deflect said ribbon-likeconductors outwardly away from said outer wall surface and intoconductive contact with said respectively juxtaposed second longitudinalportions of said socket elements.
 1. An apparatus for the multipleelectrical connection of ribbon-like conductors with circularcross-section cables, comprising a first element formed with anelongated recess bounded by an inner peripheral wall surface and havingan open end and a longitudinally spaced closed end; a second elementformed with an elongated projection receivable with clearance in saidrecess through said open end thereof, and with a transverse wall porTionwhich overlies said open end when said projection is received in saidrecess, said projection having an outer peripheral surface; a pair oftransversely spaced first apertures formed in said first element at saidclosed end and communicating with said recess; a pair of transverselyspaced second apertures formed in said second element at said transversewall and communicating with said recess so that ribbon-like conductorsmay be inserted through said second apertures to overlie said inner wallsurface at transversely spaced locations; a pair of socket elements eachformed with a first longitudinal portion having an end shaped to receivea circular cross-section cable and an other end, a second longitudinalportion having a conductive surface and extending from said other end ofsaid first longitudinal portion into said recess, and a thirdlongitudinal portion intermediate said first and second longitudinalportions and engageable with said first element so as to secure saidsocket element when said socket element is received in one of said firstapertures with said second portion overlying said outer peripheral wallsurface and being juxtaposed with one of said ribbon-like conductors;and biasing means in said projection and operative to deflect saidribbon-like conductors outwardly away from said outer wall surface andinto conductive contact with said respectively juxtaposed secondlongitudinal portions of said socket elements.
 2. An apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein said projection is formed with an open-endedtransverse passage; and wherein said biasing means comprise a firstsliding member, a second sliding member, and a guide member received insaid transverse passage, said guide member guiding said first and secondsliding members, and a biasing element urging said first and secondsliding members apart in direction outwardly of said passage.
 3. Anapparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second slidingmembers are hollow; and wherein said biasing element is comprised of aspring.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said biasingmeans further comprise abutment means which present movement of saidfirst and second sliding members outwardly of said transverse passagebeyond a predetermined distance when said projection of said secondelement is removed from said recess.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim4, wherein said abutment means further comprise sliding means whichallow movement of said first sliding member and said second slidingmember on said guide member, respectively.
 6. An apparatus as defined inclaim 1, wherein said projection is formed with an open-ended transversepassage; and wherein said biasing means comprise a pair oftelescoped-together members received in said transverse passage, and abiasing element urging said telescoped-together members apart in axialdirection of said passage.
 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6,wherein said telescoped-together members are hollow; and wherein saidbiasing element is comprised of a spring.
 8. An apparatus as defined inclaim 6, wherein said biasing means further comprise abutment meanswhich prevent movement of said telescoped-together members outwardly ofsaid transverse passage beyond a predetermined distance when saidprojection of said second element is removed from said recess.
 9. Anapparatus as defined in claim 1, and further comprising fasteners whichfasten said ribbon-like conductors to said second element.
 10. Anapparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said fasteners are screws. 11.An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said fasteners are rivets.12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said third longitudinalportion further comprises a flexible section which engages said closedend of said first element so as to secure said socket element when saidsocket element is received in said recess.